Simu Liu Reveals Marvel's Secrecy: "Tom Holland and Mark Ruffalo Ruined It"

It's official: Shang-Chi is set to make a thrilling return to the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The excitement was palpable during the Avengers: Doomsday livestream, where it was revealed that Simu Liu, who first captivated audiences as Shang-Chi in "Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings" in 2021, will be back for the upcoming ensemble blockbuster. However, given Marvel Studios' notorious secrecy to prevent spoilers, Liu remained tight-lipped about his involvement, only mentioning that his name was listed alongside other MCU stalwarts on a chair.

The Avengers: Doomsday cast reveal last month was particularly significant for fans of the X-Men franchise. It confirmed the inclusion of veteran actors like Kelsey Grammer, Patrick Stewart, Ian McKellen, Alan Cumming, Rebecca Romijn, and James Marsden, signaling a major presence of the X-Men in the film. Grammer, who portrayed Beast in the Fox X-Men series, made his MCU debut in the post-credits scene of "The Marvels." Patrick Stewart, known for his role as Charles Xavier/Professor X, previously appeared in the MCU in "Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness" as part of the Illuminati. Meanwhile, McKellen (Magneto), Cumming (Nightcrawler), Romijn (Mystique), and Marsden (Cyclops) are yet to make their MCU debut, raising the intriguing possibility that Avengers: Doomsday might secretly be an Avengers vs. X-Men movie.

Speaking on the Jennifer Hudson Show, Liu shared his excitement about being part of the film but admitted that Marvel keeps its cast in the dark about other announcements. He humorously referenced the well-known leaks by Tom Holland regarding the Spider-Man series and Mark Ruffalo's tendency to spill plot points about the Avengers. Since these incidents, Marvel has tightened its security, ensuring no spoilers leak from any cast members, new or old.

Liu, who also starred as one of the Kens in Greta Gerwig's "Barbie," expressed his astonishment at the caliber of actors joining him in "Avengers: Doomsday." He was particularly blown away by the announcements of Sir Ian McKellen and Sir Patrick Stewart, whom he regards as two of the greatest actors ever. "That blew my mind a little bit," he confessed during the interview.

While "Avengers: Doomsday" is slated for a May 1, 2026 release, details beyond the confirmed cast members remain scarce. As the film's plot continues to be shrouded in mystery, fans eagerly await further announcements and developments. Meanwhile, MCU enthusiasts have also been buzzing about Robert Downey Jr.'s recent Doctor Doom-themed invitation for his 60th birthday party, sparking speculation and excitement about potential future storylines.